There are situations when the pain syndrome is provoked not by a violation in the work of the organ, but by increased nervous tension or muscle spasm. In such cases, it is recommended that you do not take painkillers, but those that eliminate the increased muscle tone. Such drugs include Sirdalud, the instructions for use of which will be discussed later.
The mechanism of action of the drug
“Sirdalud” refers to a group of centrally acting muscle relaxants. The active substance of the drug has a depressing effect on spinal polysynaptic reflexes. As a result, the production of excitatory amino acids decreases and alpha2-adrenergic receptors are stimulated.
The drug acts on receptors in the spinal cord, they are stimulated and suppressed the transmission of nerve impulses. As a result, muscle tone is reduced.
Therapeutic effect
Once in the body, the drug substance not only reduces muscle tone, but also gives a moderate analgesic effect.
The drug has proven effective against spasms that are accompanied by pain and impaired blood flow. The tone is reduced and the likelihood of developing clinical seizures is reduced, which is important in the treatment of neurological diseases.
The therapeutic effect depends on the concentration of the active substance in the blood plasma. After taking the medicine, it is rapidly absorbed and after an hour the maximum concentration is reached. This allows the therapy to be carried out using tablets rather than injections. Eating does not affect the pharmacokinetics. The effect of the drug is practically independent of the characteristics of the patient’s body, therefore the doctor is confident in the therapeutic effect provided.
The metabolism of Sirdaluda, the instructions for use about this, is carried out in the liver, and is excreted mainly through the kidneys. If there are problems with the urinary system, the maximum plasma concentration is reached faster.
The composition of the drug
The drug is produced by a Swiss pharmaceutical company, so you can not worry about the quality of the drug.
Sirdalud 2 mg tablets are available, instructions for use will be discussed later, and 4 mg. Accordingly, the amount of active substance - tizanidine hydrochloride - is 2 and 4 mg.
As additional ingredients are available:
- Anhydrous colloidal silicon dioxide.
- Glucose monohydrate.
- Cellulose.
- Stearic acid.
White tablets, odorless.
Sirdalud 6 mg is also available, the instructions for use will also be studied in the form of capsules with a maximum content of active ingredient. The capsule has a bean-like shape, caps are milky white.
The capsule shell includes:
- Ethyl cellulose.
- Titanium dioxide.
- Sucrose.
- Gelatin.
- Talc.
- Starch.
The composition and explains the therapeutic properties of the drug "Sirdalud", instructions for use will be discussed in detail below.
Indications for use of the drug
If you read the instructions that come with the drug, you can see under what pathologies and conditions the drug is prescribed:
- Diseases of the spinal column, accompanied by severe pain.
- Lumbar and cervical syndrome.
- Pain after surgical treatment.
- In the presence of neurological problems.
- In the treatment of intervertebral hernia.
- In the treatment of osteochondrosis and osteoarthrosis.
- If spasticity of skeletal muscles is noted with neuralgia, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy.
- To eliminate the effects of cerebrovascular accident.
Sirdalud, the instructions for use remind you of this, you must take it only on the recommendation of a doctor.
Treatment regimen and dosage
The drug has a limited therapeutic index, therefore, when prescribing therapy, it is important to choose the right dosage for each patient. The instruction for use of the Sirdalud tablets recommends to be taken orally with a large amount of water. It is possible to split the tablet in half if you need to reduce the dosage.
Treatment of any diagnosis should begin with a minimum dosage. Sirdalud 4 mg is prescribed, the instruction for use recommends dividing the daily dose into 2 doses. This will make it possible to avoid serious side effects.
The treatment regimen may differ for different diseases:
- In the presence of muscle spasms, the drug is prescribed at 6 mg per day. This amount is recommended to be divided into three doses. A gradual increase in dosage of 2-4 mg is supposed, but with an interval of 3-5 days. The therapeutic effect is expected from 6-12 tablets per day in 2 mg divided into three doses. The medicine is best taken at regular intervals. It is strictly forbidden to take more than 36 mg per day.
- If there are indications for therapy and existing problems with the kidneys of the Sirdalud tablet, the instructions for use recommend taking 2 mg once a day. To achieve a therapeutic effect, the doctor gradually increases the dosage, and then the frequency of use.
- Patients of advanced age therapy with the use of "Sirdaluda" is prescribed with a minimum dose. Gradually, it rises to the optimal combination of therapy effectiveness and drug tolerance.
Discontinuation of treatment should be gradual. Otherwise, there is a possibility of jumps in blood pressure and heart rhythm disturbances.
When prescribing Sirdalud MR 6 mg, the instructions for use recommend that treatment be started with one capsule per day. Gradually, as the body adapts, the dosage can be increased, but not earlier than after 3-5 days. According to statistics, the most effective therapeutic dose is to take 12 mg per day.
Important Directions for Sirdalud Treatment
Instructions for use of MR or a drug with a dosage of 2 and 4 mg should be strictly observed. Patients, starting treatment, should take special instructions into account:
- Taking tablets of this drug may be accompanied by a sharp decrease in blood pressure, which can lead to loss of consciousness, therefore, increasing the dosage should be carried out gradually and only after the recommendation of a doctor.
- Exceeding the dosage is fraught with disruption of the liver, therefore, during prolonged therapy, liver tests should be periodically monitored.
- Given that lactose is part of the preparation, it is undesirable to use the medicine in therapy in the presence of lactose deficiency.
- For some patients, treatment with Sirdalud, the instructions for use, mention this, cause drowsiness, so it is better not to drive a car or not do work associated with increased concentration of attention.
Studies on the effect of the drug on the developing fetus have not been conducted, so it is better to refrain from therapy. The same can be said of breastfeeding. There is no information on whether the active substance of the drug passes into breast milk.
The combination of the drug with alcohol
During any therapy, drinking alcohol is not recommended. Sirdalud treatment is no exception. Ethyl alcohol has a negative effect on liver cells and its functioning, the kidneys and the nervous system, and in combination with tablets, the risk of developing negative consequences increases several times.
Joint administration of the drug with alcohol may result in a decrease in blood pressure, inhibition of consciousness.
Contraindications to therapy
Not all patients can be prescribed a drug for treatment. The group of contraindications includes:
- Serious abnormalities in the liver.
- Excessive individual sensitivity to the components of the drug.
- It is forbidden to use the medicine in the treatment of children under the age of 18.
- The period of gestation and breastfeeding.
- With great care, treatment is carried out in the presence of pathologies of the kidneys.
- Doctors try not to prescribe the drug to patients older than 65 years.
If contraindications are not taken into account, the risk of developing negative consequences significantly increases.
Adverse Events
The instructions for the use of Sirdalud tablets have been studied, reviews say that therapy can provoke the following adverse reactions:
- There is drowsiness in the daytime.
- Sleep is disturbed.
- Dizziness worries.
- Heart rhythm is disturbed.
- Blood pressure decreases.
- The mucous membrane dries up in the mouth.
- Nausea and vomiting appear.
- Digestion and the gastrointestinal tract are disturbed.
- Muscle weakness appears.
- Fatigue.
- Vision is impaired.
- Asthenia develops.
- In severe cases, hallucinations appear.
- The liver is disrupted and hepatitis develops.
It must be remembered that a sharp withdrawal of the drug can cause acute circulatory failure.
Overdose symptoms
If you do not observe the dosage and take the drug in larger quantities than the doctor prescribed, then overdose symptoms may appear:
- Nausea.
- Vomiting
- A sharp decrease in blood pressure.
- Collapse and loss of consciousness.
- Drowsiness.
- Dizziness.
- Respiratory failure.
Treatment of this condition consists in the appointment of activated carbon in a large dosage, conducting forced diuresis.
The use of the drug during pregnancy
Given the lack of information about the effect of the active substance on the fetus and body of a pregnant woman, doctors try not to prescribe a medicine for future mothers. The exception is cases where the potential benefit significantly exceeds the possible risk to the child.
Animal experiments did not show signs of teratogenicity of the drug, but when ingested more than 30 mg per kilogram of body weight, an increase in gestational age was recorded. Cases of fetal death were noted, as well as a delay in its development.
Exceeding the dosage several times led to the appearance of symptoms of sedation and severe muscle relaxation. Animal studies have also shown that the active substance of the drug is excreted in small quantities with milk in females.
Drug interaction with other drugs
Instructions for the use of Sirdalud tablets are considered, analogues will be presented later, in which there is information about the interaction of the active substance of the tizanidine preparation with other drugs:
- A joint administration with cytochrome inhibitors leads to an increase in the concentration of tizanidine and to the development of symptoms of an overdose.
- The therapeutic effect of Sirdaluda is reduced if enzyme inducers are taken.
- It is strictly forbidden to combine taking the drug with Fluvoxamine, Ciprofloxacin. This can lead to collapse.
- Carefully treat with Sirdalud if Cisapride, Amitriptyline, or Azithromycin is taken.
- It is not recommended to carry out drug therapy while taking antiarrhythmic drugs, oral contraceptives.
- It is not recommended to conduct joint long-term treatment with tizanidine and Rifampicin.
- The use of drugs to reduce blood pressure, diuretics can cause a sharp drop in blood pressure.
- Long-term combined therapy with Sirdalud and Rifampicin is not recommended.
- Soothing, anti-allergenic, sleeping pills drugs enhance the sedative effect of the drug.
- If there is such a bad habit as smoking, then an increase in dosage is required.
If there is a therapy with the use of Sirdaluda, then it is necessary to inform the attending physician about those drugs that are currently being taken.
What to prefer: "Midokalm" or "Sirdalud"?
"Midokalm" refers to drugs that give the same therapeutic effect as Sirdalud. But there is a difference between drugs:
- In "Midokalm" as an active substance contains tolperisone.
- The dosage in Midokalm is different: 0.05 and 0.15 mg tablets are available.
- The main substance of Sirdaluda belongs to the group of alpha-adrenergic agonists, similar to the action of Clofelin, and therefore causes drowsiness.
- The main component of Midokalm tolperisone is beta-aminoketone, similar in action to Novocain and does not have a sedative effect.
- If you compare the cost of drugs, then Sirdalud is much cheaper.
Analogues of Sirdaluda
Instructions for use do not mention analogues, but they are available for the drug. If we consider the constituent components and therapeutic effect, then Sirdalud, if necessary, can be replaced by the following drugs:
- Tizalud. The drug is produced by domestic pharmaceutical companies. Available in tablets. The drug is not recommended for the treatment of pediatric patients, nursing mothers. For women in the situation, it is necessary to correlate the benefits for the mother and the possible harm for the developing baby.
- "Tizanidine." The medicine is produced not only by domestic manufacturers, but also supplied by foreign companies. The drug is in tablets that are not prescribed for children, pregnant and lactating mothers.
- "Baklosan." It contains a different active substance, but is similar in pharmacological group. It is produced in tablets that are allowed to be used for therapy from the age of three. Do not use during pregnancy and lactation.
- Midokalm. Included in the same therapeutic group with Sirdalud. Children under three years of age, expectant mothers.
The following drugs can also be attributed to analogues:
- Tizanil.
- "Baclofen."
- Miaxil.
- Midostat.
- "Tolperil."
- Miorix.
- Muskomed.
Before choosing an analog of Sirdalud, the instructions for use should be carefully studied. It is better to discuss the issue of replacement with your doctor to avoid the negative effects of therapy.
Reviews about the drug
The instructions for the use of Sirdaluda have been carefully studied, analogues, reviews about the drug should also not be missed.
Most patients who used the drug for treatment are rated above average. Many are not satisfied with the fact that drowsiness develops against the background of drug treatment, which significantly complicates the performance of their duties qualitatively.
With prolonged treatment, some patients note a high probability of a negative effect on the liver. But patients are satisfied with the cost of the medicine and the therapeutic effect that it gives.
Sirdalud is also popular among doctors, who often prescribe it if necessary to their patients. High effectiveness of therapy is noted, and the manifestation of side effects is explained by non-compliance with the dosage or treatment regimen, as well as taking medication if there are contraindications.
Do not self-medicate, only a competent specialist for each patient will choose the tool that is most effective in a particular situation.